Testimonials

David Shelley from Adelaide:

Totally recommend this tour to any sports fan and of course Gooners around Australia! My 3rd tour is testament to the value and lifelong experiences money can’t buy.

We landed and headed straight to watch the Arsenal v Southampton U23’s game, followed by Swansea, Middlesbrough, Reading in the League Cup and Ludogorets in the LC, which we won 6-0 and had seats right up the front!!! So, 3 wins and a draw, we will take that nicely.

From watching the players arrive pre game in front of the change rooms, to meeting and taking photos with Robert Pires by chance, Pat Rice and the main man, Charlie George gave us plenty to reminisce about.

Having to opportunity to do a Stadium Tour of both The Emirates and Wembley is not to be missed as well as a sneaky look and the private boxes and Club Level of the Emirates and the hallow grounds of Highbury!

The many pubs pre and post match around the stadium soaking up the atmosphere while dissecting the game with fellow Gooners is magic. Don’t miss the Arsenal Football Supporters Club family, you will feel at home with a cold pint and great people.

On our spare time this trip we went to visit Dublin for 2 days, meeting locals and experiencing the many pubs around the river Liffey and of course the Guinness Storehouse Tour is a must visit. We also went to a championship game in London (QPR 1 v Bristol City 0).

Finished off with some shopping, Jeans and shoes are good value as is the many markets, while always sampling the ales and food on offer close by our London accommodation. It’s so central, right near the Holborn Tube Station, a short walk to the Thames, Big Ben, the London Eye and Buckingham Palace, to see the rellies!

Having done 3 of the 6 Arsenal Tours now, I will be back!!! For you can’t beat good times with great people and lifelong experiences following by far the greatest team the world has ever seen................ Arsenal!!!!!

John Beaver from Sydney:

WOW is the word I can use for the tour, 13 nights of total enjoyment in London.

I saw more of Arsenal than I’ve seen in the 50 years supporting the team, some of which while living in London. Plus, 4 games at The Emirates. With visits to the official Arsenal Football Supporters Club, 2 tours through Emirates Stadium, one official with Charlie George and the other, a private tour through the Club Level, some Private Boxes and other hospitality areas of the stadium. We also saw both teams arrive at the players entrance. That was a special privilege.

We saw our U23’s play Southampton, went to the QPR v Bristol City match at Loftus Road and visited Woolwich, the original home of Arsenal FC.

We had a great time at the Arsenal pubs as they all made us feel welcome. The Tollington, Gunners Pub and AFSC to name a few.

The hotel was very central, a few stops on the Tube from Arsenal and other highlights of London.

Overall, it was a brilliant 2 weeks in London!!!

Brodon Hirst from Brisbane & Phillip Hirst from Grafton (NSW):

Going on the Arsenal Australia tour to London is something every proper Aussie Gooner must do. Warren’s contacts at the club and various supporters clubs offer you the chance to truly experience a matchday as an insider and you quickly get to feel a part of the Arsenal family. It’s intense, it’s real and it’s awesome. Standing in the “Away” end singing at the top of your lungs, travelling around England and Europe watching the Arsenal is something you’ll never forget and is an experience you won’t get anywhere else. If you’re even half contemplating going, you’re already someone who should go. It’s a trip of a lifetime for any real Arsenal fan.

Lee, Adam & Trent Blewett from Perth:

We had an amazing time, seeing some wonderful sights and amazing stadiums. The hotel was in prime location, close to the Tube and central to the heart of London. We had no hassles along the way. Overall a very relaxed and enjoyable holiday and would defiantly do this tour again.

Tony Kendall from Melbourne:

I The 2014 Arsenal Australia Tour organised by our Committee Member, Warren Rice, was the realisation of a dream for me. In hindsight, I so wish I had done this tour Tour earlier. Watching matches live now brings a new found joy to me as I recall all parts of the Stadium!

We spend 2 weeks in England in November, during which time Warren organised for us to see 4 matches, including an away game versus West Brom, which was definitely the highlight of the Tour. Besides the fact that we had our seats in the first row behind the goal that Danny Welbeck scored in. The ‘away’ fans really get behind the team and the atmosphere in the stadium before the match was electric!

Whilst we were fortunate to witness 3 wins in our 4 matches, including the Champions League v Dortmund, the total London experience was just so much fun. Actually seeing and touring ‘The Emirates’ (with Perry Groves) and the old Highbury was really special for me who has followed Arsenal since 1970. As well as seeing Arsenal legends such as Martin Keown and Ian Wright at the matches, we met Ray Parlour at a live podcast in a pub at Waterloo and Brian Talbot (a member of the 1979 FA Cup winning team) before the Southampton game.

We were also introduced by Warren to the Arsenal Football Supporters Club who welcomed us and invited us into their bar to share Arsenal stories before and after matches. The arsenal lads were fantastic to us and recommended pubs to visit such as ‘The Gunner Pub’ and ‘The Tollington’, where we enjoyed the pre and after match atmosphere.

Another Tour highlight for me was the Wembley Tour. We got to hold the FA Cup, walk out of the tunnel and hear all about the history of the home of football. We were also lucky enough to meet Matt Le Tissier and Darren Anderton (former England internationals) who joined us for a photo.

I particularly enjoyed the ‘balance’ that Warren offered us during the Tour. He spread out the planned activities with ‘free time’ which enabled us all to enjoy the sights of London and beyond. My parents live in the west of England (4 hours drive from London) and I was able to visit them over a 2 day break and return to the group to enjoy the next group activity. In addition to the football, we visited Abbey Road Studios, Lords Cricket Ground and saw the Christmas Lights and all the various monuments that London is famous for, including the newly built Shard, the tallest building in Europe with amazing views of London.

All in all, I would highly recommend that Arsenal Australia Members save their money and plan a trip to England to take this Tour and see for yourself the wonder that is ‘Emirates Stadium’ and take advantage of the benefits that Warren’s direct relationship with Arsenal Football Club offers us as members. Our new Arsenal Australia Banner will be another highlight for you to see when you get there. Do it Gooner, you only live once, make it happen. Cheers & COYG!!!!

Gary Collins from the Gold Coast (Qld):

I would describe the Arsenal Australia 2013 tour as ‘magical’. I have been an ardent Gooner for 35 years & it has always been a dream to see Arsenal play @ The Emirates. I was so excited to see this opportunity come to fruition. Warren was a fantastic tour organiser (great itinerary and plenty of spare time), from booking the flights, arranging the match day tickets & selecting the Hotel (brilliant location). He was also knowledgeable, friendly & approachable. I was also lucky enough to share this experience with some great people. Obviously the highlight of the tour was to see Arsenal in action. Sitting in the full capacity ‘Emirates Stadium’ , hearing the singing, taking in the atmosphere’ & seeing the team run out gave me goosebumps. We were fortunate enough to see two Premier League (including a 2-0 victory over Liverpool) matches, League Cup & Champions League games - a real buffet. Memories that will last a lifetime.

David Shelley from Adelaide:

WOW! To all the true lovers of all things Arsenal, this is for you. I enjoyed AT2 so much I came back this year for AT3. A lifetime experience to move about the Gooners and feel part of the club at close range. It felt like we hadn't left. From the minute you decide to go to when you get back Arsenal Tours look after everything and you just enjoy the AFC ride. The flight’s easy, accommodation first class and central to everything! You get the chance to travel with fellow Gooners and make friends for life. The lead up to the games and atmosphere cannot be explained in words. it’s a feeling in the heart of pride and passion. To travel and witness an Away Game (Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park) as one supporter base is something. I recommend to any supporter to experience, a safe, organised, band of brothers, singing as one as the lads show their skill, and love for the club. The home games against Champion League’s Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool and Chelsea, The Clock End, the North Bank, WOW! The tour of the inner sanctum of The Emirates with Perry Groves then Wembley and old Highbury is amazing. To witness it live stays with you for life! The Arsenal Football Supporters Club at Highbury treat you as one of their own, and a trip to the Gunners Pub is a must. Enough free time in chunks of days to do your own thing, for me off to Bath, Stonehenge, Stevenage, sights of London, take in a show at the Savoy and sample a few froffies along the way. Having been on two of these trips now, I feel I am in the position to give an honest assessment....Do it!!! Reward yourself or a loved one. Don’t put it off, you will love it!!!

Andrew Francis from the Sunshine Coast (Qld):

The Arsenal Tour 2013 was great fun and we had an absolutely brilliant time. The hotel was very good and located in the heart of London, the Football was incredible and the English weather wasn't to bad either. All of the Football matches and stadium tours were fantastic and thoroughly enjoyable. Lots of free time to explore London and beyond also. The trip was absolutely seamless and the company on tour was excellent as well. I would recommend The Arsenal Tour to anyone who loves the Gunners or English football. Hope to return someday soon. A big thanks to Warren for taking care of the arrangements made for us. We appreciate your efforts in making the tour such a memorable trip. It was great experience. Up the Gunners!

Arvin Naidu from Sydney:

An experience “Money Can Not Buy”!!! A Must for every true Gooner!!! My highlight was the Away trip to Montpellier for the Champions League match followed by “The Emirates” Tour by the one and only Charlie George. Very well organised with lots to see and ample free time for the usual shopping. Excellent weather, beautiful cities and great company. Looking forward to 2015 for the next trip.

David & Jason Shelley from Adelaide:

Both many thanks to Arsenal Tours and Arsenal FC for all the planning that went into a truly memorable life time tour. Accommodation in both London and Montpellier was excellent in location and facilities. We did it all, starting with a trip to Underhill to watch the U21’s, followed by a flight to my first Champions League game in Montpellier, France, an awesome experience with a 2-1 result. Back to London then Man City away at Etihad apart from the game which was 1-1 a highlight was the singing with all the Gooners before hand in a safe friendly environment. Off to our home next at The Emirates, for League Cup v Coventry, 6-1 a good result. Chelsea followed on the Saturday also at home to a packed stadium. Highlights, there were so many, meeting Charlie George, seeing the inner sanctum Tour of “The Emirates”, an opportunity to view Highbury, a tour of Wembley and Lords Cricket Ground, along with the Abbey Road walk of fame, Montpellier France, the Armoury for our clothes shop, good food and drinks along the way. A day trip to Paris on a spare day to climb the Eiffel Tower, and visit the Louvre and of course the London Eye were all great. This is a must do tour for any Aussie Arsenal supporter at least once in a life, my son and I will be back for more ales and singing with all the Gooner family at the Arsenal Football Supporters Club and The Gunners Pub. Great time, great people, now great friends. Victory in Harmony.

Matthew Traynor from Melbourne:

I would just like to say a big thank you to “Arsenal Tours” for organising an amazing 2 weeks in Gooner heaven. A Reserves, 2 ELP, a Capital One Cup and a Champions League game. What more could you ask for? From meeting FA cup hero Charlie George and having him show us around Emirates Stadium to not only being allowed in to the usually off limits Highbury Square, but being invited up to a 4th floor apartment for coffee and a chat with a fellow Arsenal supporter. These were just a few of the things that I thought I would ever experience. Travelling to the beautiful Montpellier, France and experiencing a Champions League game was definitely my favourite part of the trip. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who has thought about going to watch “The Arsenal” but didn’t know where to start.

Michael Rodriguez from Melbourne:

I had a great time on the Arsenal Tour. The accommodation being so central made it so easy to not only sightsee but also to get out and watch some of the other London teams in my spare time. Just experiencing the atmosphere, especially with the Away supporters in Manchester and Montpellier, was something I will never forget. Thanks you “Arsenal Tours” for arranging such a wonderful trip.

Rex & Daniel Holland from Sydney:

”Just wanted to say thanks again for a great Tour that exceeded both our expectations. We couldn't fault the accommodation, pre arranged tours or even the weather. Our highlights were “The Emirates Tour”, visiting the Colney to watch the Reserves match with Aston Villa and the pre-match visits to the “Arsenal Football Supporters Club”. Hoping to travel again in 2013 as my wife is keen to go this time.”

Sean Gavin from Brisbane:

“Thank you for an awesome experience. I had a brilliant time. Accommodation was great and close to everything in London. Highlights of my trip were the Emirates Stadium tour and meeting legend Charlie George, what a nice guy he was, the Wembley stadium Tour, watching the Reserves at the Colney and how much of a privilege it was being in there. All the pre-match buzz was awesome (“The Gunners” Pub and the “Arsenal Football Supporters Club”). Big highlight of the trip was bumping in to Niklas Bendtner in Harrods, I was shaking so much when I saw him and he was great to have a chat to. I could go on forever. I’m looking forward to doing it again in the future.”

Priscilla, Chin & Anna Chew from Sydney:

“We had an awesome experience and enjoyed ourselves greatly. The whole Tour was really well organised. The accommodation was very central and had easy access to all the places we wanted to visit in London. Both the Wembley and Emirates Stadium tours were great. We also enjoyed the visit to Arsenal’s Colney Training Ground and the trips to Arsenal pubs. But, the main highlight definitely had to be the two matches at “The Emirates”. Overall, it was a brilliant Tour. Thanks for giving us such a lovely two weeks.”

Chris Lubbers from the Sunshine Coast (Qld):

I thoroughly enjoyed the “Arsenal Tour”. Our accommodation was very nice and ideally located and the club really looked after us with our visit to the London Colney Training Centre to watch the Reserves play Aston Villa. The Emirates Stadium Tour with Charlie George was unreal and the overall experience was amazing.